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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Organised activities

6 replies

skihappy · 05/07/2010 11:35

My 6 year old ds has recently been diagnosed with dyspraxia and the paed also suspects mild aspergers / hfa. His dyspraxia affects fine motor skills mainly, in that he has difficulty writing and handling cutlery. He has also struggled to sit still because of poor core muscle tone. He has had input from OT and we've done exercises and sitting has significantly improved. He has been able to ride a bike since he was 3 years old and loves swimming, although has only recently begun to swim on top of water. He can be clumsy and gets upset that he falls when running and his body won't do what he wants it to do. AS traits are poor eye contact and immature social skills. He can also get very angry about things and have outbursts that appear out of proportion to the incident.
Over the years we have tried many organised activities and have always given up after a few weeks because of ds' behaviour and his inability to comply with instructions. He demonstrates poor listening and does things in his own way. However he wants to be like all his friends and take part in football, swimming, tennis lessons. We are trying football at moment. It went well for a few weeks, but the last lesson was pretty much a disaster. He was rude to the coach, was disengaged and refused to get out of the goalmouth. I'm beginning to think that these organised activities with NT children are not a good idea for ds, and ultimately will damage his fragile self esteem further. Does anyone else have similar difficulties?

OP posts:
imahappycamper · 05/07/2010 12:35

Oh yes. We had a lot of problems with organised sport.What about something like Beavers? Here there is a Special Needs co ordinator at District level and they are supposed to be inclusive. Both Beavers and Cubs worked well for our DS. Scouts not so good, but you aren't there yet.

nuttyredhead · 05/07/2010 17:23

Hey,
yes we have DS with Dyspraxia age 8.
He can not understand team sports like football and basketball.

We have tried climbing club, it was a quiet club and we stayed with him for extra support.Horse riding 1-1 was also sucessful.

We have just joined cubs we needed to build his confidence. Its early days yet but i think it may be ok.I would like him to join clubs where they have knowledge of children with disability's but they difficult to find!!

IndigoBell · 05/07/2010 21:35

We have found beavers and cubs to be very good.

We also had a brief go at a disability football club www.disabilityfootball.co.uk - but DS didn't like it.

mariagoretti · 05/07/2010 23:41

Another vote for Beavers

skihappy · 06/07/2010 18:56

Thanks for your replies. We are on the waiting list for Beavers, due to join in September. I have heard good things about the local group ie the leader understands special needs. I feel reassured that other children get on well in this environment. It breaks my heart that ds does not see himself as different from his friends and wants to join in with organised sports. He just can't cope well with the rules etc.

OP posts:
roundthebend4 · 06/07/2010 19:50

ds attends all ablity sports mix of P.D dc , child with Ld and nt children which I have found great ,not sure if you ahve something in your area

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